Latest news with #DenisBalibouse
The Star
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Switzerland lifts economic sanctions on Syria
FILE PHOTO: A Swiss flag hangs at the Swiss Parliament building (Bundeshaus) in Bern, Switzerland, March 12, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File photo ZURICH (Reuters) -Switzerland said on Friday it will lift a raft of economic sanctions imposed on Syria, including the Middle Eastern country's central bank. After the toppling of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, targeted sanctions against individuals and entities linked to the former government will still remain in place, Switzerland's governing Federal Council said. "The aim of this decision is to promote the country's economic recovery and an inclusive and peaceful political transition," the council said in a statement. After an initial easing of sanctions in March, Switzerland is now lifting restrictions on the provision of certain financial services, trade in precious metals and the export of luxury goods, the government said. Some 24 entities including the central bank of Syria have also been removed from the sanctions list, it added. The announcement follows the EU's decision to lift its economic sanctions on Syria at the end of May after a similar move by the U.S. Treasury Department in the same month. (Reporting by Marleen KaesebierEditing by Dave Graham)
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel slams UN rights council for giving floor to Iran
FILE PHOTO: The flags alley is seen outside the United Nations building during the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, February 27, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File photo The sign at Iran's representative seat is placed in the room before a special session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Delegates watch, as Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi addresses a special session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse GENEVA - Israel's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva has raised "vehement objection" to Iran addressing the Human Rights Council ahead of talks with European counterparts in Geneva to try to de-escalate the Israel-Iran conflict, according to a letter seen by Reuters. "Affording the Iranian foreign minister the floor before this body continues to undermine the council's credibility and constitutes a blatant betrayal of the many victims of this regime worldwide," Daniel Meron said in a letter addressed to council president Jurg Lauber. The council said on Friday Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to be given the floor. Shortly afterwards, he was due to hold talks with the European Union foreign policy chief and his counterparts in Britain, France and Germany in order to de-escalate the conflict. In the letter, Meron accuses Iran of using the council as a international stage to "promote the regime's despotic campaign." On Wednesday, the Iranian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva addressed the council and accused Israeli attacks as representing an act of "war against humanity". The rights council media office shared minutes from a meeting on Thursday, which stated that Lauber had granted Araghchi permission to address members in accordance with U.N. rules allowing exceptional addresses to the council by heads of state or senior ministers. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel slams UN rights council for giving floor to Iran ahead of nuclear talks
FILE PHOTO: The flags alley is seen outside the United Nations building during the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, February 27, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File photo GENEVA - Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva has raised "vehement objection" to Iran addressing the Human Rights Council ahead of talks with European counterparts in Geneva to try to de-escalate the conflict, according to a letter seen by Reuters. "Affording the Iranian foreign minister the floor before this body continues to undermine the council's credibility and constitutes a blatant betrayal of the many victims of this regime worldwide," Daniel Meron said in a letter addressed to council president Jurg Lauber. The council said on Friday said that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to be given the floor. Shortly afterwards, he is due to hold talks with the EU foreign policy chief and his counterparts in Britain, France and Germany in order to de-escalate the conflict. In the letter, Meron accuses Iran of using the council as a international stage to "promote the regime's despotic campaign." On Wednesday, the Iranian Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva addressed the council and accused Israeli attacks as representing an act of "war against humanity". Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Swiss to spend $329 million to support Geneva as diplomatic hub
FILE PHOTO: A Swiss flag hangs at the Swiss Parliament building (Bundeshaus) in Bern, Switzerland, March 12, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Swiss to spend $329 million to support Geneva as diplomatic hub ZURICH - Switzerland will spend 269 million Swiss francs ($329.37 million) to support Geneva as a hub for international diplomacy, the government said on Friday, amid growing financial pressure on global institutions hit by spending cuts and lower donations. The money, which will cover the period of 2026 to 2029, comes as international organisations based in city face increasing competition from other cities to host them. Bern said it was making the funding available to reaffirm the "central role of international Geneva in Swiss foreign policy and its unique role in global governance." Geneva is a hub for global diplomacy, hosting more than 40 international organisations, including the United Nations, World Health Organisation, and the World Trade Organisation. In recent months, cuts in contributions or suspension of payments by individual member states have led to serious liquidity bottlenecks at international organisations. Numerous institutions based in Geneva have been forced to drastically reduce their budgets, cut staff or even consider relocating abroad, the government said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Olympics-Russians remain barred from luge at 2026 Games even as neutrals
FILE PHOTO: Alpine Skiing - FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Men's Downhill Training - Bormio, Italy - December 27, 2024 A logo of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026 is seen in finish area REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo (Reuters) -Russian luge athletes will not be allowed to qualify for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics even as neutrals, the International Luge Federation (FIL) said after a vote on Wednesday. The 24-7 decision to continue an existing exclusion from FIL competitions was taken at the governing body's congress in Tampere, Finland. The congress also decided 24-8 in a second vote not to authorise a programme for neutral Russian athletes. "As a result, Russian athletes and their entourage will not be permitted to participate in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games," FIL said in a statement. FIL president Einars Fogelis, a Latvian, said the congress had made its position clear. "This outcome reflects our collective responsibility to uphold fair and safe competition. We fully respect the diversity of views within our community, especially from our athletes," he added. The International Olympic Committee said last month that Russian teams, including the powerful national ice hockey side, remained banned from next year's Games as part of sanctions following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. A small number of individual Russian and Belarusian athletes took part in the Paris 2024 summer Olympics after rigorous vetting by the IOC and as neutrals without national flags or anthems. Four Russian figure skaters in men's and women's singles have been approved by the International Skating Union to try to qualify for the 2026 Olympics as neutral athletes. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Christian Radnedge)
